How to Preserve Antique Fire Fighting Equipment
A hot item among collectors and cultural heritage preservationists alike, antique fire fighting equipment is a popular collector's item. Though traditionally built for sturdiness and reliability, the materials used in some older model equipment can become fragile with age and susceptible to deterioration if not stored properly. With minimal supplies and some care, you will be able to preserve your antique fire fighting equipment for many years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Fire fighting equipment
- Liquid soap suds
- Hot water
- Three-by-three foot vat or bucket
- Hydraulic oil
- Grinding tool with fine grain (optional)
Instructions
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1
Check all equipment for visible physical damage. Connect and run any hoses to a water faucet to search for holes or tearing in the outer sheathing. Check quick connections on hose nozzles by ensuring that the couplings open and close efficiently without any rust color flowing in the water.
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2
Clean hoses by flushing both the inside and outside of the hose with hot soapy water. Run the hot water until all soap has left the hose and let dry. Lubricate quick connections with hydraulic oil for storage.
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3
Tighten any loose nuts or bolts present on hose reels, face protectors, drip torches and portable tanks. Liberally clean all dirty material with hot soapy water and let dry. Check metal, glass or fragile surfaces for scratches and apply oil to any visible scuffs on the material.
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4
Inspect all spreaders, cutters and rams for hydraulic leaks, wear or damage. Check the control valve for ease of operation when switching to positions and apply hot soapy water to any rust or clogged parts in the mechanism. Carefully test the blades of all cutters for notches or other damage and apply a grinder tool with fine grain to fix. Apply oil on all dry materials to prevent rust.
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5
Empty all backpacks or hydration packs and vacuum out the insides of any debris. Soak each pack in a container of hot soapy water while carefully scrubbing out the insides and outsides of each pack (you may notice the water quickly turn brown). Leave out to dry.
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6
Store all materials in a clean, dry area where no moisture can damage the equipment. Check on the antique fire fighting equipment every six months to make sure that no aging has occurred.
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